Education Committee - 22/05/2000

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 22nd May 2000.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor de GERNIER, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 17th April 2000 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 18TH AND 19TH APRIL 2000

The minutes of the above mentioned meetings (Appendices I and II) were submitted for information.

II HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS - FOLLOW-UP TO THE INSPECTION OF LOCHEE PRIMARY SCHOOLAND NURSERY CLASS

There was submitted and noted the report of HM Inspectors of Schools with regard to the follow-up to the inspection of Lochee Primary School and Nursery Class.

III HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS - FOLLOW-UP TO THE STANDARD INSPECTION OF OUR LADY'S RCPRIMARY SCHOOL

There was submitted and noted the report of HM Inspectors of Schools with regard to the follow-up to the inspection of Our Lady's RC Primary School.

IV HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS - REPORT ON INSPECTION OF STANDARDS AND QUALITY INLAWSIDE RC ACADEMY

There was submitted and noted the report of HM Inspectors of Schools with regard to the inspection of standards and quality in Lawside RC Academy.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 326-2000 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of tenders received and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

(i) The Committee approved acceptance of the offer received from McRither, Kirk and Coutts for electrical upgrading at Ardler Primary School for the sum of 36,096.12 together with allowances of 6,347.00 giving a total amount of 42,443.12.

(ii) The Committee approved acceptance of the offer from Taylor Mechanical Services Ltd., for the boiler replacement at Ancrum Road Primary School for the sum of 112,600.93 less savings of 33,046.91 giving a cost of 79,554.02 together with allowances of 14,800 giving a total amount of 94,354.02.

(iii) The Committee approved acceptance of the offer from Jaydee Heating Ltd for the boiler replacement at Park Place Primary School for the sum of 82,551.19 less savings of 11,803.88 giving a cost of 70,747.31 together with allowances of 13,400.00 giving a total amount of 84,147.31.

VI BALDRAGON ACADEMY - SURPLUS LAND

The Committee agreed to remit to the Director of Economic Development for consideration of future use or disposal surplus land adjacent to the former Caretaker's house at Baldragon Academy.

VII VARIOUS SCHOOLS TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

A request had been received from XM Services, who are the principal contractor, for WRB Gas (Contracts) Limited to be used as a sub-contractor for all work where there is a need to work with gas.

The Committee agreed that XM Services be allowed to use WRB Gas (Contracts) Limited as a sub-contractor for all work where there is a need to work with gas.

VIII ADMISSION TO NURSERY EDUCATION IN DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 344-2000 by the Director of Education seeking approval to review the Admissions Policy for Nursery Education and to introduce a pilot scheme to charge parents in employment for additional nursery provision.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) approve the proposals contained within the report to amend the Policy on Admissions to Nursery Schools and Classes;

(ii) remit the Director of Education to establish a one year pilot and evaluation scheme to charge parents in employment for additional nursery provision;

(iii) approve the continued provision of free full time places to children in need;

(iv) approve the proposal to increase the clerical support hours for Nursery Schools from twelve to sixteen hours per week for the duration of the pilot scheme in order to meet the administration requirements of the pilot scheme; and

(v) approve the proposal to review and amend current charging for extended hours services.

It was also agreed that the Director of Education would submit an interim report after six months of the implementation of the pilot scheme.

IX APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES - HEAD TEACHER POSTS IN DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS

There was submitted Report No 338-2000 by the Director of Education seeking approval for an amendment to the composition of appointment panels for head teacher posts in denominational schools to include the RC representative on the Education Committee as one of the three Education Committee members.

The Committee approved the alterations to the procedures for appointment panels contained in the appendix to the report.

X NEW CHILDCARE PROJECTS FUNDING 2000-2001

There was submitted Report No 345-2000 by the Director of Education setting out proposals for disbursement of New Childcare Projects Funding provided to local authorities by the Scottish Executive Education Department for the development of new childcare projects.

The Committee noted the contents of the report and approved the proposed allocation of New Childcare Projects Funding, as outlined in Appendix I, to partner providers of childcare services in Dundee.

XI INTEGRATED EARLY YEARS AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE AT BEECHWOOD/FOGGYLEY

There was submitted Joint Report No 211-2000 by the Directors of Education, Personnel and Management Services and Social Work seeking approval to establish an integrated early years and family support facility by merging and rationalising provision currently made at Beechwood Child and Family Centre and Foggyley Nursery School. This will be a pilot initiative to establish if such a model works in practice to improve services for children and families. The pilot initiative will run until 31st March 2002.

The Committee agreed to approve the proposals contained within the report so far as it's interests were concerned to establish a pilot initiative to provide an integrated facility for children and families within the Beechwood and Foggyley building.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No.52(3)(b) in view of the timescales involved.

XII TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 366-2000 by the City Architectural Services Officer giving details of tenders received.

The Committee approved acceptance of the offer from Raynor Roofing Ltd for Lawside Academy, Main Building, Roof Recovering Phase 1 for the sum of 12,768.66 together with allowances of 2,250.00 giving a total amount of 15,018.66.

GEORGE DE GERNIER, Convener.